Envelope



E. D. GLASS ENVELOPE Filed Jan. 2.3, i928 E GZzzs., .NVENTOR ATTORN EYWITNESS: Y

Patented Aug. 19, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EN VEL'OPEApplication led January 23, 1928. Serial No. 248,816.

The present invention relates to an improved envelope and the purposeofthe invention is to provide a self-contained opening means, which issubstantially of an invis- 5 ible nature.

Another purpose is to provide an opening means foran envelope whichconsists of a relatively heavy paper disc adhesively fastened to theenvelope preferably adjacent the closure flap, the disc having a tonguewhich may be bent up when the envelope and the disc are bent to aparticular position, which may,be designated, the tongue being connectedtd an invisible opening thread', which when the tongue is bent up andthen detached from the disc, will act to pull upon the thread andthereby tear open or cut the edge of the envelope permitting access tothe contents thereof.

Another purpose is to provide a disc, which is an indication that theenvelope may be torn open bjymeans of a thread, directions being appliedto the disc showing that the dise is a means for opening the envelope bymeans of a thread.

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no waylimitive, and that while still keeping within the scope of theinvention, any desired modification of details and proportions may bemade in the construction of the appliance according'to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts to behereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelope showing the disc and thetongue formed therewith, the tongue being so positioned as to enable itto be bent and then grasped to allow the thread to cut open theenvelope.

Figure 21s a view of a tongue partly moved, with the envelope bent.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view through the disc and thetongue more clearly showing the construction and arrangement of theparts.

Figure 4 is a detailed view on one corner of the envelope showing howthe envelope is first cut prior to gpplying the disc.

Figure 5 is a view showing the disc in a position to be applied to theenvelope adjacent the slot cut in the envelope.

Referring to the drawings, l identifies a conventional construction ofenvelope provided with a slot 2 in its front wall adjacent the closureflap and 3 is a disc of relatively heavy material, preferably paper,though not necessary, the disc being cut at 4 to form a tongue 5,leaving an opening in the disc, which opening registers with the slot inthe Wall of the envelope. Beyond the tongue 5 the disc is additionallycut to form a tongue 6, the two tongues 5 and 6 still remaining attachedto the disc as at 7. However the tongue 6 is bent upon itself andadhesively secured to itself on the interior of the envelope. Securedadhesively in the fold of the closure flap 9 is a thread 10, which mayextend through the entire edge of the envelope at its fold. One end ofthe thread is fastened adhesively in the fold of the tongue, so thatwhen the tongue 6 is bent away from the operator or receiver of theenvelope, partly bending the disc by bending the tongue 6, the tongue 5will flap toward the operator allowing the operator to grasp the tongue5 and detach it from the disc and since the tongue is attached to thethread, the thread may be pulled and torn through the edge of theenvelope, thereby opening the same and permitting access to thecontents.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

l. An opening means for an envelope, comprising a thread disposed andcompletely concealed within the crease of the closure flap and extendingapproximately to the opposite `corners of the edge, a relatively heavypaper disc carried by the` address wall of the envelope adjacent onecorner thereof and provided with a bending up tongue, and an additionaltongue operatively associated with the first tongue and attached to thethread. whereby the thread may act as a cutting means for the crease ofthe envelope.

2. An opening means for an envelope` comprising a thread disposed andcompletely concealed within the crease of the closure flap and extendingsubstantially/to the opposite corners of the edge of the envelope, apaper member relatively heavier than the address face of the envelope,said member having a loop or bending tongue, and means operativelyassociated with the tongue and connected with the thread whereby uponbending said means the bending tongue may be moved outwardly fordetaching it and thereby using the thread as an opening medium.

3. In an opening means for an envelope, the combination with an envelopebeing slotted in the address face adjacent the closure flap. of a memberconstructed of paper relatively heavier than the address face of theenvelope and carried by the face, said member having an outwardlybending tongue struck up therefrom. the tongue registering with the slotsaid member having an additional tongue folded over and adhesivelyfastened to itself and also fastening with said slot. and a threaddisposed and completely concealed within the crease'of the closure flapand extending substantially the entire length'of the crease. with oneend connected to the additional tongue whereby upon bending theadditional tongue. the first tongue may be bent outwardly so as todetach from the envelope and cause the thread to out said crease.

4. An opening means for an envelope comprising a thread disposed andcompletely concealed within the creased edge of one of the flaps of theenvelope and extending substantially to the opposite corners of theedge, a paper member relatively7 heavier than the address face of theenvelope and attached to the envelope face and adapted for detaching aportion ofthe envelope face b v bending said member` and meansoperatively associated with one end of the member and connected with athread. whereby upon bending said member said means may be bentoutwardly for detaching it and thereby using the thread as an openingmedium.

5. An opening means for an envelope` comprising a thread disposed andcompletely concealed within the creased edge of one of the envelopeflaps and extending substantially to the opposite corners of the edge.the address face ofthe envelope at a point adjacent one of the cornersof the envelope having a relativelv heavier portion than the body of theaddress face of the envelope and attached to the address face of theenvelope by perforations. and means operatively associated with therelatively heavier portion of the address face and connected with thethread, whereby upon bending said relatively heavier portion ot' theaddress face to move it outwardly for detaching said means. the threadmay be used as an opening medium for the envelope.

ln testimony whereof he atlixes his signature.-

ELMER D. GLASS.

